In a previous post, I shared information regarding the ways my course work and a summer institute helped to provide me with a new focus for the library program. In part two, I would like to the ways a conference in Denver, Colorado was another catalyst for my revised vision of the library program.

The International Society for Technology (ISTE) conference is one of my favorites; I compare it to Disneyland for Tech and Education Enthusiasts (Geeks). Last summer, my joy was quadrupled by chance encounters, inspiring key note speeches, and connecting with other excited educators. Not only did I have a chance to have my picture taken with R2D2, I had a chance to interact with innovators and gurus within the edutech community. I also had a chance to meet Mr. Lavar Burton in an elevator and share with him the positive influence his work had on me and others.

Being able to hear Ruha Benjamin's powerful discussion about the ways educators can "set phasers to love" and create a…

This year, I have tried to focus on creating opportunities for my students to learn. Whether, it is through student inquiry or the soft skills associated with burgeoning relationships with their peers and/or teachers, I want my students to have the opportunity to grow. The idea of growth was especially highlighted in my mind when I completed a philosophy course last summer, as well as my experience with a sustainability project, and my time at the ISTE Conference.

Through a philosophy course, I gained insight about various educational philosophies of Socrates, Horace Mann and John Dewey (to name a few). It was once I reacquainted with the educational philosophy of John Dewey that I made a few realizations of the changes I wanted to make in my school library program. The idea that young people should be given the chance to learn through hands-on activities, as well as the prospect that students who have a voice in their education have a deeper level of understanding for lessons in s…